Canadiens hire Donald Audette as amateur scout in Quebec

MONTREAL (August 17, 2012) – Montreal Canadiens Executive vice president and general manager, Marc Bergevin, announced Friday the contract extension of Trevor Timmins as director of amateur scouting. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Club also announced the appointment of Donald Audette as amateur scout in Quebec, as well as Mark Mowers as professional scout (Eastern Conference).

“The Montreal Canadiens organization is very proud of the work that Trevor Timmins has done in terms of player scouting and development over his time with the team, and we are very happy to count on his services for years to come. We agree with Trevor and his group on the necessity of adding an amateur scout in Quebec, and we are pleased to welcome Donald Audette, who will now occupy this position for the team. Donald has vast experience to lend to the position, both from his NHL/Canadiens playing days and from his time in a management role in the Midget AAA circuit, where he added to his knowledge and skills through his involvement with Hockey Québec and Hockey Canada ” said Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.

Trevor Timmins, who completed in 2011-12 his 11th season with the Canadiens, is responsible for overseeing and directing the Canadiens’ amateur scouting system, including the annual NHL Entry Draft and amateur free-agent recruitment. Under his guidance the Canadiens have drafted, among others, Alexei Emelin, Max Pacioretty, Carey Price, P.K. Subban, Yannick Weber and Ryan White. A native of Almonte, Ontario, Timmins started his career as a manager in the NHL in 1992 with the Ottawa Senators.

Donald Audette enjoyed a 15-year career in the NHL, suiting up for six teams, including three with the Canadiens from 2001 to 2004. Audette played 735 career games totaling 509 points (260 goals, 249 assists) and 584 penalty minutes. He also participated in 73 playoff contests, recording 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) and 46 penalty minutes.

Donald Audette played his junior hockey with the Laval Titan in the QMJHL between 1986 and 1989, recording 309 points (141 goals and 168 assists) in 199 games. Drafter in the ninth round, 183rd overall by the Buffalo Sabres at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, he began his professional hockey career at age 20 with Buffalo’s AHL farm team, the Rochester Americans. He played one full season with Rochester before making it to the NHL in 1990-91.

Now 42, Donald Audette will begin in 2012-13 his third season with the Phénix du Collège Esther-Blondin in the Ligue de hockey midget AAA du Québec, as governor and general manager. Very involved within Hockey Québec and Hockey Canada, he will serve as head coach of Team Québec at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, to be held in Victoriaville and Drummondville (Québec) from December 29, 2012 and January 4, 2013. Audette was invited as a coach at Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp, from last August 3 to 6 at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto.

In seven seasons in the NHL, Mark Mowers produced 62 points (18 goals, 44 assists) in 278 regular season games. Born in Decatur, Georgia, the center suited up for Nashville, Detroit, Boston and Anaheim. Now 38, Mowers retired from hockey after the 2010-11 season, as a member of Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss National League.